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Chemosphere Feb 2024By 2030, the UN General Assembly issued the Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for the provision of safe drinking water. However, water resources are... (Review)
Review
By 2030, the UN General Assembly issued the Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for the provision of safe drinking water. However, water resources are continuously decreasing in quantity and quality. NO is the most widespread pollutant worldwide, threatening both human health and ecosystems. NO separation systems (NSS) using IX and membrane-based techniques (MBT) are considered practical and efficient technologies, but the management of IX waste brine (IXWB) and concentrate streams for MBT (CSM), as well as the high salt requirements for IX regeneration, are challenging from both economic and environmental perspectives. It is essential to classify the different waste management strategies in order to examine the current state of research and identify the best option to address these issues. This review provides harmonized information on IXWB/CSM management strategies. This study is the first systematic review of all papers available in the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases published until February 2023. 75% of the studies focused on the use of biological denitrification (BD) and catalytic denitrification (CD). Although innovative technologies (bio-regeneration and direct CD) have advantages over indirect processes, they are not yet practical for large-scale plants because their reliability is unknown. Moreover, the generation of NH is the major challenge for application large-scale of chemical reduction. An innovative work flow diagram, challenges, and future prospects are presented. The review shows that integrating modified NSS with IXWB/CSM treatment is a promising sustainable solution, as the combination could be economically and environmentally beneficial and remove barriers to NNS application.
Topics: Humans; Drinking Water; Nitrates; Reproducibility of Results; Ecosystem
PubMed: 38013022
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140757 -
The Science of the Total Environment Feb 2024Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are widely used to prevent or treat human and animal diseases, thereby improving the quality of daily life. Poor...
Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are widely used to prevent or treat human and animal diseases, thereby improving the quality of daily life. Poor management of post-consumer products is recognized worldwide, as they negatively affect the ecosystems where they are discharged. The first action to prevent negative impacts is the state of knowledge regarding their occurrence. This paper critically reports the panorama of West Africa in terms of PPCPs occurrence in different water sources. To achieve this objective, a systematic review was conducted on PPCPs in West Africa following the PRISMA guidelines. Databases, including African Journals Online, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Dimensions, were used for this search. Thirty-five articles, representing 58 % of West African countries, were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these articles, one included data from multiple West African countries, while the remaining 34 exclusively focused on Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. The results revealed a variety of PPCPs investigated, about 27 groups and 112 compounds, with greater emphasis on antibiotics, analgesics and PSHXEs. HPLC was the predominant analytical method used, resulting in total concentrations of PPCPs in the range of 200,000 to 3,200,000 ng/L in drinking water, 12 to 700,000 ng/L in groundwater, 0.42 to 107,800,000 ng/L in surface water, 8.5 to 121,310,000 ng/L in wastewater, and 440 to 421,700 ng/L in tap water. Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon reported the highest number of PPCPs investigated and consequently the highest concentration of cases. These compounds present a high potential ecological risk, with >50 % exceeding the risk quotient limit. Therefore, West Africa as a community needs integrated approaches and strategies to monitor water, especially transboundary resources. This review is timely and provides pertinent information to policymakers and researchers on PPCPs in water.
Topics: Humans; Cosmetics; Drinking Water; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Ghana; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37981152
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168633 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2023The relation of exposure to arsenic in drinking water during pregnancy to the risk of preterm birth (PTB) was contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the... (Review)
Review
The relation of exposure to arsenic in drinking water during pregnancy to the risk of preterm birth (PTB) was contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association between drinking water arsenic and PTB. A systematic search in PubMed and Scopus was performed to achieve all relevant studies. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to pool data using the random-effect models. Overall, 11 studies with a total sample size of 3,404,189 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Arsenic exposure through drinking water during pregnancy was related to an increased risk of PTB (OR = 1.06; 95%CI = 1.01-1.10 for highest versus lowest category of arsenic), with significant heterogeneity across the studies (I = 84.8%, = 0.001). This finding was supported by cohort studies (OR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01-1.10). This meta-analysis proposes that higher arsenic exposure in drinking water may be a risk factor for PTB.
PubMed: 37967266
DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2280155 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jan 2024This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the water-, sanitation- and hygiene (WASH)-related insecurities that people experiencing homelessness in urban areas... (Review)
Review
This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the water-, sanitation- and hygiene (WASH)-related insecurities that people experiencing homelessness in urban areas of high-income countries (HIC) are facing, and how these insecurities are further complicated during extreme weather events. While limited recent research has looked into WASH among people experiencing homelessness in HICs, and while some work has considering the implications of climate change on WASH and health, the nexus of WASH, extreme weather events and homelessness in HICs have not been studied thus far. We conducted the first systematic scoping review of peer-reviewed literature on this nexus, which is understudied and marked by complexity, involving a range of systems and forms of impact. A total of 50 publications were included in our analysis. We found that public facilities like drinking water fountains, toilets, handwashing facilities, and showers are scarce, frequently unavailable, often pose safety and cleanliness issues, and access to non-public facilities may be cost-prohibitive for homeless populations. Consequently, people experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping rough, in encampments, or shelters, are often forced to limit drinking water consumption, forego healthy hygiene behaviours, and resort to open urination and defecation, all of which carry health risks. Extreme weather events, like heatwaves, extreme cold, heavy rain and flooding exacerbate challenges for people experiencing homelessness, further complicating their access to WASH, and reducing the ability of service providers to deliver extra relief, creating a dual WASH and health burden. Our review highlights that the Human Right to Water and Sanitation is not met for people experiencing homelessness in urban areas of high-income countries, with women emerging as one of the most vulnerable subgroups. It reveals that the impact of certain WASH issues (e.g. drinking water) on homeless populations are better understood than others (e.g. waste), and, similarly, the effects of certain extreme weather events (e.g. heatwaves) on the health and WASH conditions of people experiencing homelessness are better understood than others (e.g. flooding). Data gaps and the lack of information on limited WASH access and health circumstances of people experiencing homelessness, further minimize their representation and consequently impose obstacles to improve their situation. Based on our analysis, we established a framework which operationalizes the nexus of WASH, extreme weather events and homelessness. This framework improves our understanding of the underlying complexities at the intersection of these three issues and provides a foundation for enhanced preparedness and health-oriented planning.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sanitation; Extreme Weather; Drinking Water; Developed Countries; Hygiene; Ill-Housed Persons
PubMed: 37925888
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114285 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Dec 2023We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relation between fluoride exposure and skeletal fluorosis (SF) using a novel statistical methodology for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relation between fluoride exposure and skeletal fluorosis (SF) using a novel statistical methodology for dose-response modeling.
RECENT FINDINGS
Skeletal fluorosis, a major health issue that is endemic in some regions, affects millions of people worldwide. However, data regarding the dose-response relation between fluoride exposure and SF are limited and outdated. We included twenty-three studies in the meta-analysis. When comparing the highest versus the lowest fluoride category, the summary risk ratio (RR) for SF prevalence was 2.05 (95% CI 1.60; 2.64), with a value of 2.73 (95% CI 1.92; 3.90) for drinking water and 1.40 (95% CI 0.90; 2.17) for urinary fluoride. The RR by the risk of bias (RoB) was 2.37 (95% CI 1.56; 3.58) and 1.78 (95% CI 1.34; 2.36) for moderate and high RoB studies, respectively. The dose-response curve based on a one-stage cubic spline regression model showed an almost linear positive relation between exposure and SF occurrence starting from relatively low concentrations up to 5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L, respectively, for water and urinary fluoride, with no substantial increase above this threshold. The RR for developing moderate-severe forms increases at 5.00 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L of water and urinary fluoride, respectively. Better-quality studies are needed to confirm these results, but greater attention should be given to water fluoride levels to prevent SF, in addition to the other potential adverse effects of fluoride exposure.
Topics: Humans; Fluorides; Fluorosis, Dental; Drinking Water; Prevalence
PubMed: 37861949
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00412-9 -
Environmental Research Dec 2023Freshwater habitats hold a unique role in the survival of all living organisms and supply water for drinking, irrigation, and life support activities. In recent decades,... (Review)
Review
Plummeting toxic contaminates from water through phycoremediation: Mechanism, influencing factors and future outlook to enhance the capacity of living and non-living algae.
Freshwater habitats hold a unique role in the survival of all living organisms and supply water for drinking, irrigation, and life support activities. In recent decades, due to anthropogenic activities, deterioration in the water quality has been a long-lasting problem and challenge to the scientific fraternity. Although, these freshwater bodies have a bearable intrinsic capacity for pollution load however alarming increase in pollution limits the intrinsic capacities and requires additional technological interventions. The release of secondary pollutants from conventional interventions further needs revisiting the existing methodologies and asking for green interventions. Green interventions such as phycoremediation are natural, eco-friendly, economic, and energy-efficient alternatives and provide additional benefits such as nutrient recovery, biofuel production, and valuable secondary metabolites from polluted freshwater bodies. This systemic review in a nut-shell comprises the recent research insights on phycoremediation, technological implications, and influencing factors, and further discusses the associated mechanisms of metal ions biosorption by living and non-living algae, its advantages, and limitations. Besides, the article explores the possibility of future research prospects for applicability at a field scale that will help in the efficient utilization of resources, and improved ecological and health risks.
Topics: Metals, Heavy; Plants; Environmental Pollution; Environmental Pollutants; Ecosystem; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37832769
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117381 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Sep 2023
Topics: Drinking Water; Halogenation
PubMed: 37751327
DOI: 10.1289/EHP13164 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Sep 2023
Topics: Drinking Water; Halogenation
PubMed: 37751323
DOI: 10.1289/EHP13870 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Several studies have reported on hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence in various regions of China, but the results vary widely. Herein, we conducted a systematic review...
INTRODUCTION
Several studies have reported on hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence in various regions of China, but the results vary widely. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the seroprevalence, RNA-positive rate, genotype distribution of HEV in China, and its risk factors.
METHODS
We included 208 related studies involving 1,785,569 participants published between 1997 and 2022. Random-effects models were used to pool prevalence, and subgroup analyses were conducted by population, gender, age, study period, regions, and rural-urban distribution. The meta regression models and pooled odds ratios (OR) were performed to identify risk factors for HEV infections.
RESULTS
The pooled anti-HEV IgG, IgM, and Ag seroprevalence, and RNA detection rates in China from 1997 to 2022 were 23.17% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.23-26.25], 0.73% (95% CI: 0.55-0.93), 0.12% (95% CI: 0.01-0.32), and 6.55% (95% CI: 3.46-12.05), respectively. The anti-HEV IgG seropositivity was higher in the occupational population (48.41%; 95% CI: 40.02-56.85) and older adult aged 50-59 years (40.87%; 95% CI: 31.95-50.11). The dominant genotype (GT) of hepatitis E in China was GT4. Notably, drinking non-tap water (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.50-2.20), consumption of raw or undercooked meat (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.17-1.84), and ethnic minorities (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.29-1.73) were risk factors of anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence.
DISCUSSIONS
Overall, the prevalence of hepatitis E was relatively high in China, especially among older adults, ethnic minorities, and humans with occupational exposure to pigs. Thus, there is a need for preventive measures, including HEV infection screening and surveillance, health education, and hepatitis E vaccine intervention in high-risk areas and populations.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023397036.
PubMed: 37744517
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1243408 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Jan 2024The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides healthy food to millions of children annually. To promote increased lunch consumption, policy, systems, and... (Review)
Review
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides healthy food to millions of children annually. To promote increased lunch consumption, policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies are being implemented in child nutrition programs. An evaluation of the current evidence supporting PSE interventions in school nutrition programs is needed to facilitate evidence-based practices across the nation for programs. This systematic review aims to determine the quality and breadth of available evidence of the effectiveness of PSE strategies on the consumption and waste of fruits, vegetables, milk, and water in the NSLP. The inclusion criteria required studies to occur in a United States K-12 school setting, data collection after 2012, report consumption and waste findings for fruit, vegetable, milk, or water, and be an original research article. Articles included in the review are restricted to positive or neutral quality. Thirty studies are included, policy level (n = 4), systems level (n = 8), environmental level (n = 10), and multi-category (n = 8). Results from positively rated policy-level studies suggest that recess before lunch may increase milk consumption, whereas removing flavored milk may decrease consumption. System-level studies of offering vegetables first in isolation of other meal components and offering spiced vegetables compared with traditional preparations may increase vegetable consumption, and locally procuring produce may increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Environmental-level studies such as water promotion strategies such as placing cups near drinking fountains may increase water consumption. Improving the convenience, attractiveness, and palatability of fruits and vegetables may increase consumption. Future PSE research in child nutrition programs should incorporate implementation aides and metrics into their study designs to allow a better understanding of how to sustain interventions from the perspective of school nutrition professionals.
Topics: Child; Humans; United States; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Fruit; Vegetables; Lunch; Water; Food Services; Nutrition Policy; Food Preferences
PubMed: 37716534
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.09.004